THIS time, she's marrying for love. Britney Spears said of her recent engagement to dancer Kevin Federline. "Marrying Kevin was the last thing I was thinking about doing," Spears told People magazine in its July 12 issue.

Spears, 22, and Federline, 26, began dating a few months ago, after her Las Vegas wedding to childhood friend Jason Alexander in January. That marriage was annulled 55 hours later.

Of the quickie Vegas ceremony: "That thing was a total ugh," she said. "I was not in love at all."

Spears also denied rumors that she was pregnant and said it was she who first popped the question to Federline.

"He said no because he thought it wasn't the right way to do it," Spears said.

The proposal came on a plane flying back to New York from a European tour and, after turning Spears down, Federline came back with a counter-proposal of his own.

"I thought the guy was supposed to ask the girl. So a couple of minutes went by and then I asked her," he said.

Recalled Spears: "I kind of knew he was going to come back and ask me. And I said yes, of course."

The couple had been together only three months before announcing their engagement, and some reports had hinted at a shotgun wedding. "I'm not pregnant," Spears insisted. "But I definitely want to have some kids. I see myself with four or five."

"I kissed a bunch of frogs and finally found my prince," said Spears.

"I feel like I've found my happily ever after,"Spears told People.

Federline, who performed as a backup dancer for Justin Timberlake, Spears'  former boyfriend, previously was involved with Shar Jackson, star of TV's Moesha. They have a 2-year-old daughter and are expecting another baby.

Spear's publicist said the singer looked forward to her role as a stepmom.

"She loves children, and obviously she will be married to their father, so obviously she will have some " her spokeswoman said.

Star magazine's Web site reports that the couple have already met with a wedding planner. Star says the Spears-Federline wedding will take place Nov. 20, with 200 guests, five bridesmaids and five groomsmen. Still undecided: Whether the couple will be married in Los Angeles or in Spears'  home state, Louisiana.

 
Editor: Wings